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Branstad Leads Charge to Save Olympic Wrestling

By on February 15, 2013
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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad is launching a campaign to keep wrestling an Olympic sport after the International Olympic Committee announced its recommendation to drop it.

Branstad will be joined at a Friday news conference by Olympic wrestling gold medalist Dan Gable, University of Iowa associate head wrestling coach Terry Brands and University of Northern Iowa wrestling coach Doug Schwab. They’ll gather at the Iowa State High School Wrestling Tournament to kick-off their campaign called “Let’s Keep Wrestling.”

Branstad and each member of Iowa’s congressional delegation have signed a letter they will send to the IOC on Friday morning describing the importance of wrestling to Iowans and the Olympics.

Rep. Bruce Braley on Thursday noted it would be an “absolute shame” if young Iowans’ could not live their Olympic dream.